Jahid Akhter Sheikh is a development professional with 11+ years of experience working across government initiatives, nonprofit organizations, and CSR partners to address grassroots challenges and deliver sustainable, measurable impact. As Director of Social Impact & Entrepreneurs at WE HUB Foundation, a Government of Telangana initiative, he leads strategic efforts to strengthen the social innovation ecosystem, enable women-led MSMEs, scale high-impact programs, and build multi-stakeholder partnerships.

He has led and managed large-scale, multi-sector programs, including District Mineral Foundation Trust (DMFT) initiatives spanning 9+ districts across three state governments, strengthening critical sectors such as health, education, and livelihoods through improved planning, convergence, and effective utilization of public resources. During the COVID-19 period, he played a pivotal role in district-level preparedness and response, working closely with the Health Department and other line departments to support coordination, monitoring, and overall management; his contributions were recognized twice by senior bureaucrats. He has also supported district administration during two major democratic exercises, one State Assembly election and one Parliamentary election, strengthening planning, coordination, and on-ground execution.

Raised in a rural part of Jaipur district, Rajasthan, Jahid’s commitment to the social and development sector is deeply personal. A BBA graduate, he shaped his early perspective for the social sector during his post-graduation, where he engaged closely with communities, institutions, and grassroots groups, building a grounded understanding of socio-cultural and economic realities and a long-term commitment to working at the intersection of governance and community needs.

His formal work in the social sector began with Manav Vikas Sansthan in Banswara district, where he partnered closely with the District Administration to support the planning and implementation of multiple development initiatives. He later served for two years as a Gandhi Fellow in the remote, difficult-terrain block of Kapkot (Bageshwar district), an experience that deepened his understanding of last-mile service delivery and community challenges across diverse geographies. Working alongside schools and local communities, he contributed to strengthening education systems through initiatives such as establishing functional libraries and facilitating career guidance programs.

Dr. Neha Tanwar currently holds the position of Assistant Professor of Psychology at IILM University, Gurugram. With a dedicated academic journey spanning ten years, Dr. Tanwar has demonstrated scholarly excellence. She achieved the NET-JRF in Criminology and earned her Doctorate in Criminal Psychology from the Central University of Rajasthan. Her academic pursuits also include post- graduation in Criminology from the National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science, complemented by a Post Graduate Diploma in Counseling and Guidance. Dr. Tanwar’s professional experience extends to diverse field exposures, including Tihar Prison, Central Prison of Jaipur, and Drug De-addiction Centers in Delhi and Jaipur. Furthermore, she has a commendable track record as a Research Consultant, dedicating over two years to esteemed organizations such as the Bureau of Police Research and Development and the Center of Policy Research and Governance (Think Tank).Commencing her career as a Rape Victim Counsellor at the South West Delhi Women Association in collaboration with Delhi Police, Dr. Neha Tanwar has demonstrated a commitment to addressing critical societal issues. Her academic expertise spans Criminal Psychology, Juvenile Justice, Social Psychology, and Research Methodology. Dr. Tanwar’s significant contributions to the field of research are evident through her active involvement in various government projects and the publication of research articles. Dr. Neha Tanwar’s professional journey reflects a combination of academic rigor, practical experience in diverse settings, and a commitment to making substantial contributions to the fields of psychology, criminology, and social policy.